SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 8x8, Inc. (NASDAQ: EGHT), the Packet8 broadband Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and videophone communications service provider, today announced it will continue its holiday season tradition of providing pediatric patients in children's hospitals throughout the U.S. with opportunities to have video visits with Santa Claus at the North Pole.
Using the Packet8 VideoPhone, patients will be able to see and chat with Santa at his "North Pole" workshop at 8x8's Santa Clara, California headquarters which is filled with holiday decorations and gifts from a charity employee toy drive. After Santa's video calls are completed, the toys will be shipped to the hospitals in time for Christmas.
According to Kitty O'Brien of the Child Life Department at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, which participated in the "8x8 / Packet8 Videophone Calls to Santa" event previously, "The program was enormously successful last year and we are looking forward to bringing Santa's cheer to our patients again this holiday season."
Children's Hospitals participating in the "Call Santa" program include:
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital - Cincinnati, OH
- Miami Children's Hospital - Miami, FL
- Johns Hopkins Children's Medical Center - Baltimore, MD
- Barbara Bush Children's Hospital - Portland, ME
- Sutter Health/California Pacific Medical Center - San Francisco, CA
- Schneider's Children's Hospital - Long Island, NY
- Vanderbilt Children's Hospital - Nashville, TN
"It's great to see the same 21st-century communication technologies that enable distant families and friends to instantly bridge gaps brighten the experience, even briefly, of hospitalized children this holiday season," said 8x8 Chairman and CEO Bryan Martin. "This application of our Packet8 voice and video internet-based calling is a perfect example of how technology can enhance our everyday lives. All you have to do is watch the smiles and hear the laughter and joy in these children's voices while they interact with our videophone Santa and his helpers to know that we are making a tremendous impact, even in the space of a five or ten minute call. This is something that would never be possible over legacy copper wires."
The Packet8 VideoPhone delivers high-quality, full- motion video and clear, delay-free audio over any broadband (high-speed Cable, DSL or corporate LAN) Internet connection. Using 8x8's Packet8 Internet phone service, Packet8 Videophone subscribers receive unlimited video calling and regular voice calling in the U.S. and Canada for $19.95/month as well as unlimited worldwide video and audio-only calling to other Packet8 subscribers. The Packet8 VideoPhone is so easy to use that anyone, even the young at heart, will enjoy owning one.
Hospitals and other non-profits which benefit children's needs during the holidays are invited to register for participation in the program by contacting Richard Medugno at 1-408-654-0833.